Topical Bible: Faith: Saints should Abound In

◄ Faith: Saints should Abound In ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Faith, a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is through faith that believers are justified and live in accordance with God's will. The Scriptures emphasize that saints, or those set apart for God, should abound in faith, reflecting a deep and unwavering trust in the Lord.

Biblical Foundation of Faith

Faith is foundational to the Christian life. It is by faith that believers are saved, as articulated in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that faith is a divine gift, essential for salvation and not a result of human effort.

Faith as a Living Principle

The life of a saint is characterized by a continual growth in faith. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to increase in faith. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3 , he writes, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing." This growth in faith is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer, leading to a life that increasingly reflects Christ's character.

Faith and Works

While faith is the means of salvation, it naturally results in good works. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." True faith is evidenced by a life of obedience and service to God. The saints are called to demonstrate their faith through their actions, living out the commands of Christ and serving others in love.

Faith in Trials

The saints are also called to abound in faith during times of trial and suffering. The Apostle Peter encourages believers in 1 Peter 1:6-7 , "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Trials serve to refine and strengthen faith, proving its genuineness and resulting in spiritual maturity.

Faith and Prayer

Faith is intimately connected with prayer. Jesus taught His disciples about the power of faith in prayer, saying in Mark 11:24 , "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." The saints are encouraged to approach God with confidence, trusting in His promises and His ability to answer prayer according to His will.

Faith as a Shield

In the spiritual battle, faith serves as a protective shield. Ephesians 6:16 instructs believers to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." This metaphor highlights the defensive power of faith, enabling the saints to withstand the attacks of the enemy and remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.

Exemplars of Faith

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who abounded in faith. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," recounts the accounts of men and women who demonstrated remarkable faith in God. From Abraham, who obeyed God's call to leave his homeland, to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt, these figures serve as models for believers, illustrating the power and importance of faith in the life of a saint.

In summary, faith is an essential and dynamic aspect of the Christian life. Saints are called to abound in faith, continually growing in their trust and reliance on God, demonstrating their faith through actions, enduring trials with perseverance, and engaging in prayer with confidence. Through faith, believers are equipped to live victoriously and to glorify God in all things.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 8:7
Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Gratuitous Graces were in Christ?
... due to the man Christ that He should abound in the ... to certain exterior acts manifestive
of the faith, as the ... But other saints who are moved by God as separated ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gratuitous graces were.htm

Written from Rome
... partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ... Him, and stablished in the faith,
as ye ... arise, through whose influence "iniquity" should "abound," and "the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

Against These, from among the Company of the Saints...
... these, from among the company of the saints, righteous Noah ... that those whom a free
[148] faith did not ... to exist; I commanded that false witness should not be ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iv against these from.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, "Why could not we Cast ...
... and said, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst ... Evils abound, and God hath willed
that evils should abound. ... Great men, faithful saints were they who have ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxx on the words.htm

On Faith
... to the faith once delivered to the saints, does so ... God." But it is impossible he
should have any ... retain (notwithstanding many mistakes) that faith that worketh ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 106 on faith.htm

God's Promises Conditional. Saints of the Old Testament were Saved ...
... Saints of the Old Testament Were Saved by the Grace ... because of transgression, until
the seed should come to ... and bring him, as a schoolmaster, to faith and grace ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/42 gods promises conditional saints.htm

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... the fact of their election, lest it should be a ... be that, although they were real
saints, nevertheless they ... giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God ...
... ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance ... reprehensions, lest, without witness
of saints associated with him in this ministry, he should be thought ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 17 on account then.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... After faith or Christ has come we are no longer under a ... The apostle prayed that they
should be made perfect in ... Saints should provoke each other to good works. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... it up in the earth, and that it should come forth ... of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
Philadelphia, we ... of the Lamanites, at times, were obedient to the faith. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm